Label applicator system

ABSTRACT

A label applicator kit comprising a holder including first holding means for holding a first set of tabbed materials such that the tabs of the first set are staggered, exposed and in a first line and a second holding means for holding a second set of tabbed materials such that the tabs of the second set are staggered, exposed and in a second line that is parallel to and spaced from the first line. The holder being a pouch, the first holding means being a first pocket of the pouch and the second holding means being a second pocket of the pouch. The pouch being in a sets-holding condition when the first holding means is holding the first set and the second holding means is holding the second set. A label applicator sheet including first and second rows of labels, and the label applicator sheet being configured and capable of being positioned in a label application position relative to the pouch, when the pouch is in the sets-holding condition, wherein each of the labels of the first row of labels is aligned with and can be applied directly to a respective tab of the first set and each of the labels of the second row of labels is aligned with and can be applied directly to a respective tab of the second set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/575,396,filed May 22, 2000, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,084 on Oct. 12,2004 and whose entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sheet constructions, systems andmethods for applying labels to tabs of divider sheets, to tabs of filefolders, to envelopes and the like.

One known label application method and system is provided in the INDEXMAKER Clear Label Dividers product available from Avery DennisonCorporation of Pasadena, Calif. This product includes a sheet havingcolumns of clear labels thereon attached with adhesive to a releasableliner sheet. The clear tab labels are formatted using preset layouts andexisting word processing software. The tab titles are printed onto theclear label sheet using laser or inkjet printers. The printed tabs arethen manually peeled off from the sheet and individually applied to thedivider tabs. This system allows the user to individually custom designand print each of the tabs with the desired indicia. The clear labelsvirtually disappear on the divider tabs giving the dividers a clean,professional look. Formatting can use preset layouts and existingsoftware programs such as MICROSOFT Word for Windows, COREL Word Perfectfor Windows, COREL Word Perfect for DOS, LOTUS Word Pro, and LOTUS AMIPro. The following U.S. Patents are related to this prior art product:U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,135,261, 5,340,427 and 5,389,414. (All patents andother publications mentioned anywhere in this disclosure are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.)

Application of these labels can be time consuming, clumsy and subject toerror, since they must be separated and then attached individually tothe corresponding divider tabs. In the process of individually applyingthem, they often are not applied evenly or properly with the divider tabsheets. In other words, the above-described INDEX MAKER product has theproblem that the labels are difficult and time consuming to remove fromthe backing sheet and to place and align on the tabs so they arestraight. They are also small and cumbersome to handle.

Accordingly, a method for remedying these problems was designed andprovided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,525 to Pollman. The Pollman patentteaches using at least one set of precut labels removably attached tocarrier strips that are removably secured to a backing sheet. The precutlabels are spaced apart on the carrier strips to align substantially onthe tabs on the divider sheets. The user can separate a carrier stripand precut labels affixed thereto from the packing sheet, place andalign the carrier strip across the divider sheet such that the precutlabels are placed on the tabs of the divider sheets. He then pulls thecarrier sheet upwardly and away from the divider sheet such that theprecut labels separate from the carrier strip and remain on thedivider's tabs. This system, while an improvement in certain respectsover the prior art, has the disadvantage that the strips are typicallyflimsy and difficult to properly align. Additionally, the carrier stripcan be sticky and thus may stick to unwanted surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, directed to remedying the disadvantages of the prior art,various label applicator constructions are provided herein. Eachincludes facestock adhered with releasable adhesive to a liner sheet.Die cut lines are made through the facestock but not through the linersheet; and die cut lines are made through the liner sheet but not thefacestock. Portions of the label sheet are then stripped away. Usingdifferent patterns of the die cut lines or other weakened separationlines and stripped away portions, the different label applicatorconstructions are formed. Each is a sheet construction with a pluralityof small elongate labels formed from the liner sheet and releasably heldto the facestock. The sheet construction is passed through a printer andthe desired indicia printed on the labels. The printed labels are thenready for easy controlled removal and application by the user to tabs ofindex dividers, file folders or the like.

According to one definition of the invention, the label sheet is die cuton both the face and liner to facilitate the application of labels ontothe dividers and file folders. The label sheet has die cuts that areoriented thereon to allow them to be aligned with either one or moresets of dividers or sets of file folders. The liner is die cut so that astrip can be removed directly from behind the labels, exposing theadhesive side of the labels. The labels are also temporarily held ontothe remainder of the sheet by small ties. Removal of the liner from thelabel sheet allows the user to align the tabs over the substrate usingthe rest of the label sheet as a carrier. The application of the labelsis followed by removal of the label sheet that breaks the ties, leavingjust the labels on the substrate. The label applicator constructionincludes a pressure sensitive laminate material die cut on both the faceand liner and sheeted to a standard-size sheet. The facestock of thepressure sensitive laminate material can be either paper or coated filmthat is toner or ink receptive. The adhesive can be permanent orremovable, depending on the level of adhesion needed for the end user.

A first construction/method of the invention is for applying multiplelabels on tab dividers/file folders. The label sheet includes die cutsthat are oriented on the sheet in a way that allows them to be alignedwith the set of tabs if a set of dividers were stacked on top of eachother. The liner is die cut so that a strip, positioned directly behindthe labels, can be removed, exposing the adhesive side of the labels.The labels are also temporarily held on the label sheet by small ties.The removal of the liner from the label sheet allows the user to alignthe tabs over the divider set using the label sheet as a carrier. Oncethe labels are affixed to the tabs, the user pulls away the label sheetto break the ties, leaving only the labels affixed to the tabs.

An alternate method for placing multiple label on tab dividers/filefolders uses a label sheet which includes labels arranged in a waysimilar to the first method. In this method, the liner is die cut in theshape of the row of labels. The labels are exposed by removing the stripof liner directly behind the labels. Next, a set of dividers is placedon the exposed adhesive using the outline of the removed liner as aguide. After the labels have been pressure applied to the tabs, thelabel sheet is pulled away, leaving the labels affixed to the tabs.

A second construction/method is for applying single labels ontosubstrate. In this method, individual labels are placed on the substrateone label at a time. On both short sides of the label, there are“handles” that are held onto the label by small ties. These handles areused to hold the labels over the desired position and used to align thelabels. After placing the labels on the desired location, the handlesare removed by pulling laterally away from the label.

An alternate construction/method uses a single “handle” on the label. Inthis method, individual labels are placed on the substrate by using asingle handle as an alignment tool. The handles are once again held ontothe labels by small ties that are designed to be broken after the labelhas been placed in its desired location.

A third construction/method uses multiple sets of tab dividers placed ina device that uses pouches that are tiered. A set of dividers is placedin each of the pouches. The dividers are positioned such that when alabel sheet, such as the one described in the first method, is alignedwith the top row of tabs, all others will also be aligned. This allowsthe user to label multiple sets of dividers in a single operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which thepresent invention pertains from the foregoing description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first label applicator construction of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 3—3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first application step by a user of alabel unit of the construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second application step;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third application step;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a second label applicator construction of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the construction of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 9—9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first application step by a userof a label unit of the construction of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second application step;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third application step;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a third label applicator construction of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the construction of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 15—15 in FIG.13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a top portion of the construction ofFIG. 13 showing a first step for applying a first series of printedlabels thereof;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second step;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a third step;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a fourth step;

FIG. 20 is a front view of a preferred alternative embodiment of thethird label applicator construction;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 but with dimensions indicatedthereon;

FIG. 22 is a rear view the embodiment of FIG. 20 with dimensionsindicated thereon;

FIG. 23 is a front view of a fourth label applicator construction of thepresent invention;

FIG. 24 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 25—25 of FIG.23;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the construction of FIG. 23 passingthrough a printer;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a top portion of the printedconstruction of FIG. 26 showing a first step for applying a first seriesof printed labels thereof;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a second step;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a third step;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a fourth step;

FIG. 31 is a partially cross-sectional view showing an envelope or pouchof the present invention holding a plurality of offset-stacked sets ofdividers ready for application of printed labels from a labelconstruction such as that of FIG. 23 or 28; and

FIG. 32 is a schematic view showing a manufacturing process of a labelapplicator construction of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A number of different label applicator constructions of the presentinvention are disclosed herein and will now be described. Generallyspeaking, each is formed as a sheet construction having a liner sheetwith a facestock attached to the back side thereof. One embodiment is toform the sheet construction as a laminate having an ink and/or laserreceptive top coat facestock laminated with pressure sensitive adhesiveto a release-coated paper liner. The facestock has weakened separationlines formed therein to define a plurality of facestock labels. Andweakened separation lines in the liner sheet form the liner sheet so itcan be separated into portions to assist in the proper placement of thefacestock labels on the tabs of the index dividers, file folders or thelike. More particularly, the weakened separation lines of the linersheet allow the liner sheet to be separated such that one or moreportions of the liner sheet can be manually handled by the user in theplacement of the facestock labels so that he need not touch the labels.Additionally, the liner sheet portions thereby defined help the userproperly position the facestock label(s) on the tab(s). As will becomeapparent from the following detailed descriptions, some of theembodiments herein allow the user to individually remove and manipulatelabels and others allow for an entire line or row of labels to beessentially simultaneously applied to a line of stacked, staggered tabsin a manner that is an improvement over the problems experienced withthe Pollman method.

The weakened separation lines can be formed by generally any knownmethod. A preferred method for many of the lines is to die cut them.Each of the die cut lines typically will penetrate only one of the linersheet or the facestock sheet. And the die cut portions of the linersheet or facestock sheet are maintained on the label applicator sheetconstruction by the adhesive so that they will not separate from thesheet while the sheet is being passed through a printer or copier.Instead of die cutting, the weakened separation lines can be formed byperforated lines or other means as would be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

A first label applicator construction of the present invention is shownin FIGS. 1 through 6, generally at 100. It can be understood from FIG. 3that the facestock sheet 104 is attached with adhesive 108 to the linersheet 112. Both the liner sheet 112 and the facestock 104 have die cutlines. The pattern for the die cut lines 116 of the liner sheet 112 isbest shown in FIG. 2, which is the rear view of the sheet. FIG. 1 thenshows the pattern of the die cut lines 120 in the facestock 104; and ascan be understood therein and also from FIG. 3, portions of thefacestock have been stripped away to form the edge margins 124 of theconstruction. These margins are provided to reduce the curl on the labelsheets. Additionally, a gutter strip 128 has been removed from thecenter and a perforation line 132 formed down the center of the linersheet 112. This allows the construction 100 to be divided into two partsby the user. Two smaller label applicator construction sheets arethereby formed for passing through the printer or as may be desired bythe user.

Referring to FIG. 1, the facestock sheet is cut by the die cut lines 120into four columns of ten rows of labels. Of course, different numbers ofcolumns and rows or different patterns (non-matrix) of the labels can beused as needed. Each of the facestock labels has a two partconstruction, each having a large rounded corner rectangle 140 attachedwith a perforated line or ties 144 to a smaller rounded corner rectangle148. And the liner sheet is then cut to define a similar number ofcolumns and rows of small rounded corner rectangles 160, each positionedon the back of the respective rounded corner rectangles 144 of the labeland adhered thereto by the adhesive 108. The smaller facestock labelrectangle 148 defines a handle portion of the label unit 150, and thelarger rectangle 140 defines the actual facestock label of the unit 150on which indicia 164 is printed. A respective liner sheet 160 rectangleis adhered to this handle portion 148 of the unit 150.

The sheet construction 100 is passed through a printer or a copier, suchas shown in FIG. 26 at 170. And the desired indicia 164 are printed onthe facestock label portion 140 of the unit 150. It is anticipated thatall of the facestock labels 140 will be printed in a single pass throughthe printer 170. However, it is within the scope of the invention toprint less than all of them and then pass the sheet through a second,third, or more times to print on the remaining labels. Alternatively,the user can hand write on some or all of the labels 140.

After the label 140 has been printed, or handwritten thereon, with thedesired indicia 164, the label unit 150 is pulled off the rest of thesheet, as shown in FIG. 4, by the user grasping the liner sheet portion160 and the handle portion 148 and removing them along their die cutlines from the surrounding liner sheet and facestock sheet and pullingthe label portion 140 off of the underlying liner sheet with adhesive108 remaining on the bottom portion of the label. The user thenmanipulates the label portion 140 into a desired position on the tab 174by holding and manipulating the facestock handle portion and theattached liner sheet portion, as shown in FIG. 5, between his thumb 178and forefinger 182. The label 140 is then pressed down by the user andadhered with the adhesive 108 in the desired position on the tab 174.The handle portion with liner sheet portion attached thereto areseparated from the printed adhered label by tearing along theperforation line or ties 144 as shown in FIG. 6. Thereby the printedlabel 140 is accurately positioned by the user and without the usertouching the label portion and thereby dirtying it or smudging it withbody oils from the user's fingers or the user's fingers adhering to theadhesive.

FIGS. 7 through 12 illustrate a second label applicator construction ofthe present invention generally at 200. It is seen therein that it isconceptually similar to the construction 100 in that removable labelunits 202 are defined by die cut lines 204, 206 in the facestock 208 andin the liner sheet 212, and adhesive 214 is provided between the sheets.However, instead of the facestock portion being formed by a largeelongate rectangle defining the label with a smaller elongate rectangleparallel thereto along a side edge defining the handle portion, adifferent configuration is shown in construction FIG. 7. Although theunit 202 of FIG. 7 includes a similar elongate rectangular facestocklabel 216, facestock handle portions 220, 224 are formed at each endthereof and with perforation lines or ties 228, 232 between the ends ofthe facestock label and both of the handle portions. Similarly, linersheet portions 236, 240 are die cut on the backs of each of thefacestock handle portions 220, 224, respectively. The liner sheetportions 236, 240 have slightly smaller dimensions than the respectivehandle portions 220, 224, defining a thin facestock margin about theperimeter of the liner sheet portions.

After the sheet 200 has been passed through a printer or a copier andthe desired indicia 250 printed on the labels 216, as shown in FIG. 10,the two end handle portions 220, 224 and liner sheet portions 236, 240are grasped and pulled away from the sheet and the facestock label 216peeled off from the liner sheet 212 with a layer of adhesive on the backof the label. With the two handle portions grasped by the user, thelabel unit 204 is positioned such that the label 216 is in the desiredposition on the tab 254 as shown in FIG. 11, and the label 216 is thenpressed into position. The two handle portions 220, 224 are then pulledaway along the perforation lines 228, 232 from the ends of the adheredlabel, as depicted in FIG. 12. Thereby, similar to the sheet 100, thefacestock label 216 itself is never touched by the user.

Referring to FIGS. 13 through 19, a third label applicator constructionsheet of the present invention is shown generally at 300. It is seenalso to comprise a liner sheet 304 and a facestock 308 attached withadhesive 312 to the face of the liner sheet. Similar to the otherconstructions disclosed herein, margin edges 316 of the facestock havebeen cut and removed as well as a center gutter portion 320 and aperforation line 324 through the liner sheet and down the middle of theliner sheet as formed. The facestock has been die cut to form lines 328of spaced rounded corner rectangular labels 332, each connected toadjacent labels with thin strips 336 and with the die cut line extendingfrom the end labels to the edge of the facestock. The liner sheet 304 isdie cut 340 with end lines extending all the way to but spaced a smalldistance to form a small break-away tie at the edge of the sheet. Thedie cut lines extend in a distance and then extend down, across and up,parallel to the outer shape of the adjacent label but spaced outwardly aslight distance therefrom and extending out to form a small plateau 350between adjacent labels similar to the spacing on the facestock sheetbetween the adjacent labels. The label liner sheet portions 354 areadhered to respective ones of the facestock labels 332 while the sheetis intact and passed through the printer or copier.

After passing therethrough and with desired indicia 360 printed on thelabels 332, the liner strip 364 at the top of the sheet is pulled awayand separated from the remainder portion 370 of the sheet. The linersheet portions mentioned above are removed with the liner sheet striptogether with a liner sheet bar at the top 374. This step is shown inFIG. 16. The adhesive connection between the facestock and the linersheet and the small ties at the end of the liner sheet cut lines, holdthe sheet intact and prevent the liner strip 364 from separating beforeit is manually pulled away by the user after the printing. When it hasbeen pulled away, the liner sheet portions 354 on the backs of therespective facestock labels 332 are removed thereby exposing theadhesive back sides of the line of labels 332 at the top of theremaining sheet portion 370. The top row of exposed labels 332 extends aslight distance out from the top edge of the sheet. The large remainingsheet portion 370 can then be manipulated by the user into the desiredposition aligned with the set of tab dividers 374 or file folders withtheir staggered tab 378. The body portion 370 provides a strong, notflexible or flimsy, handle for manipulating and accurately positioningthe top row of exposed labels onto the desired positions on thestaggered tabs as shown in FIG. 17.

Each of the properly positioned labels 332 is then pressed flat down toform a strong adhesive bond onto the respective tabs 378 as depicted inFIG. 18. The body handle portion 370 of the sheet is then pulled awayfrom the adhered labels 332, breaking the thin facestock ties betweenthe adjacent labels and leaving the labels in position. Referring backto FIG. 15, the next top liner strip is removed to expose the backsidesof the second line of printed labels. The second line of printed labelsare then manipulated into position on a second set of staggereddividers, the labels pressed into position and the remaining smallerbody portion removed. This can be understood by again viewing FIGS. 17through 19.

The fourth embodiment of FIG. 20, shown generally at 400, is animprovement over the embodiment of FIG. 13, and a number of smalldifferences are apparent. It similarly includes facestock 404, linersheet 408, adhesive, and cut lines to form labels 416, strips, etc. Oneof the differences is that there is an increased offset between the faceand liner cuts. Also, there are more rounded comers, additional ties areprovided on the faces, additional ties are provided on the liners andadditional rows of labels are provided. The face cuts are provided torelax the post-laser curl in laser printers.

Referring to FIG. 21, preferred dimensions in inches are: 430 a (0.063),430 b (1.251), 430 c (R0.125 typical), 430 d (0.750), 430 e (0.438typical), 430 f (0.219), 430 g (0.547), 430 h (1.656 typical), 430 i(2.031 typical), 430 j (0.824 typical (this half of sheet only)), 430 k(0.006 first row 0.008 second, third row; 0.010 fourth row tie typical(this half of sheet only)), 430 l (0.187 ref.), 430 m (0.094 typical),430 n (0.010 tie typical both sides), 430 o (0.006 tie typical bothsides), 430 p (4.025 typical), 430 q (0.075), 430 r (R0.109 typical),430 s (8.500 web width ref.), 430 t (0.063 typical), 430 u (0.010 tietypical both ends), 430 v (0.188 typical), 430 w (0.188 typical), 430 x(10.875) and 430 y (11.000)

It can be seen that ten cavities are provided across by five around at1.656 inches by 0.438 inch. Five ties per cavity as are provided onone-half of the sheet, and four ties per cavity on the other half of thesheet. The two surrounding cavities are 10.875 inches by 4.025 inches.The 1.5 mil polyester face is cut through to the 3.0 mil paper liner.

Referring to FIG. 22, preferred dimensions in inches are: 440 a (⅛″ cut×1/32″ tie), 440 b (0.031), 440 c (4.250), 440 d (0.015 tie typical bothends each repeat), 440 e (0.235 both ends), 440 f (0.031 tie typical),440 g (0.366), 440 h (0.015 tie typical both ends), 440 i (0.015 tietypical), 440 j (0.313 typical), 440 k (0.625 typical), 440 l (0.243typical), 440 m (1.250 typical), 440 n (0.938 typical), 440 o (0.133typical), 440 p (0.015 tie typical), 440 q (0.375 typical), 440 r (0.437typical), 440 s 1 (1.500), 440 s 2 (0.750 typical), 440 s 3 (0.031), 440s 4 (0.500), 440 t (R0.125 typical), 440 u (8.500 web width), 440 v(R0.188 typical), 440 w 1 (0.531 typical), 440 w 2 (1.750 typical), 440w 3 (2.031 typical), 440 x (10.938) and 440 y (11.000 circumference)

Referring to FIGS. 23 through 30, a fifth label applicator constructionof the present invention is shown generally at 500. It similarlyincludes the back liner sheet 504 and the facestock 508 adhered to afront surface thereof with adhesive 512, as shown in FIG. 25. Similarly,margin 516 and the center gutter portion 520 of the facestock have beencut and removed. Die cut lines 524, 528 are formed in both the linersheet to but not through the facestock and through the facestock to butnot through the liner sheet. The die cut lines 524 through the facestockform parallel rows of spaced rounded rectangular labels 534. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 23, eight rows of five labels are formed. Thinbreakable facestock necks separate adjacent labels in each row.

The die cut lines 528 in the liner sheet 504 form a plurality of linerstrips 550, each of the strips is comprised of a series of rectangularliner sheet portions 554 connected at the center ends to the adjacentliner sheet portions with necks 558. Each of the liner sheet portions554 has the same shape but with slightly larger dimensions than theunderlying and attached facestock label 534. The liner sheet necks 558provide sturdy connections between the liner sheet portions 554 suchthat the entire strip 550 can be removed without the liner sheetportions 554 separating. It is removed after the sheet has been passedthrough a printer 170 and the indicia 560 printed on the top surfaces ofthe facestock labels as depicted in FIG. 26.

In other words, the liner sheet strip 550 is peeled off or removed fromthe sheet, leaving the exposed backsides of the respective adhesivelabels 534. The sheet can then be manipulated such that the exposedbacksides of the labels 534 are positioned on the respective stacked andstaggered tabs 570 of the dividers or file folders 574 as shown in FIG.28. The labels 534 are pressed down into position to provide a firm,straight adhesion of the labels to the tabs 570, as depicted in FIG. 29.The remainder of the sheet 578 is then pulled off of the labels 534 asshown in FIG. 30, leaving them properly applied on the tabs.

An advantage of construction of 500 is that more than one row of labelscan be applied at the same time by removing more than one of the linerstrips 534. A system for doing this is shown in FIG. 31, where, forexample, four rows of printed labels can be applied at the same time tofour sets of dividers 586. If the dividers 586 are offset or stacked ina stepped fashion relative to one another, a method for doing thisconsistently and accurately and holding the sets in this offset positionis shown by the pouch 600 of FIG. 31. The pouch 600 has a series ofstaggered pockets 604, each for holding a respective set of dividers586.

In other words, FIG. 31 shows a system of placing four rows of labels ontab dividers in a single step. The label sheet construction can be thesheet 500, for example, or constructions as illustrated herein as wouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art. The tab dividers 586 are placedin the unique pouch 600 of the present invention, which positions themin a staggered layout. The pouch 600 can be made from a sheet of paperwith several pockets 604 of the same material, glued on the body of thepouch by adhesive. The paper will preferably be ninety pound index orhigher basis weight material that can be durable as sensitive dividersare placed in and out of the pouches. This pouch 600 speeds the labelapplication process where numbers of different sets of dividers must belabeled as part of a single operation. This speeds the labelingoperation and helps ensure accurate alignment and placement of thelabels with minimal user handling.

Examples of materials usable for the label applicator constructionsdisclosed herein are for the clear film label for laser printers: thefacestock can be 1.5 mil polyester with laser topcoating, the adhesivecan be permanent acrylic adhesive, and the liner can be 3.4 mil paperrelease liner. For the clear film label for inkjet printers, thefacestock can be 1.5 mil polyester with inkjet top coating, the adhesivecan be permanent acrylic adhesive, and the liner can be 3.4 mil paperrelease liner. Alternatives range from using ink and toner receptivefacestock material to using both permanent and removable adhesives. Asan example for paper labels, the facestock can be 4.0 mil paperfacestock, the adhesive can be acrylic emulsion and the liner can be 2.8mil paper liner.

A manufacturing process of the present invention as shown schematicallyin FIG. 32 at 700. Referring thereto, the material is a laminateconsisting of an ink and/or laser receptive top coated facestocklaminated via pressure sensitive adhesive to a release coated paperliner. The facestock can be ink or toner receptive paper or film. Theadhesive can be any acrylic emulsion, solvent or hot melt pressuresensitive adhesive that is permanent or removable. And the release lineris a release coated liner. It is supplied in roll form 704 forconverting into label sheets. The converting operation may or may notinclude printing, which generally speaking is not critical to thefunction or application of the label product.

The material is web fed through the converting press, such as the MarkAndy 4120, so as to pass through an initial rotary die station 712 that,when and where the product requires it, cuts through the liner but notthrough the polyester facestock. The anvil roller 716 is on top and thecutting die 720 is below at this station, as shown in the drawing. Therotary die that is in the initial die station may or may not include aperforation blade, which makes intermittent cut through the liner alongthe center of the web.

The web may or may not be turned over before it is passed through asecond rotary die station 730 that, where the product requires it, cutsthrough the polyester facestock but not through the liner. The web thenpasses through a matrix removal station 740 that lifts and removes asection of the face material 744 which typically includes, but is notlimited to, the perimeter around the label sheet and may or may notinclude a strip removed from the center of the sheet that coincides withthe perforation in the liner.

Finally, the web passes through a sheeting station 750, which uses oneor more cross-directional blades to cut the web into individual sheets.The sheets are fed into a packaging/collating station 760, whichincludes a stacker, which stacks the sheets one on top of the other intopredetermined count stacks. The individual stacks are either fed into acollator, or fed into a packaging area, where they are packaged in bulkfor later collation with other materials.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that thereare a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the presentinvention which come within the province of those skilled in the art.For example, the labels, instead of being passed through a printer orcopier, are written directly thereon by a pencil, pen or the like, orthe labels are provided on the sheet with the indicia pre-printed. Orthe labels can be unprinted color coded labels. Another alternative isfor the labels when on the sheet to not have adhesive thereon but ratherto be detached or removed and then attached to an adhesive surface.However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from thespirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof.

1. A label applicator kit, comprising: a holder including first holdingmeans for holding a first set of tabbed materials such that the tabs ofthe first set are staggered, exposed and in a first line and secondholding means for holding a second set of tabbed materials such that thetabs of the second set are staggered, exposed and in a second line thatis parallel to and spaced from the first line; the holder being in asets-holding condition when the first holding means is holding the firstset and the second holding means is holding the second set; a labelapplicator sheet including first and second rows of labels; and thelabel applicator sheet being configured and capable of being positionedin a label application position relative to the holder, when the holderis in the sets-holding condition, wherein each of the labels of thefirst row of labels is aligned with and can be applied directly to arespective tab of the first set and each of the labels of the second rowof labels is aligned with and can be applied directly to a respectivetab of the second set.
 2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the labelapplicator sheet includes a liner sheet and a facestock sheet adhered toa top of the liner sheet, the facestock sheet having weakened separationlines defining the labels and the liner sheet having liner sheetportions removable to expose adhesive coated backs of the labels.
 3. Thekit of claim 2 wherein the adhesive coated backs of the labels areexposed when the label applicator sheet is in the label applicationposition.
 4. The kit of claim 2 wherein the liner sheet portionscomprise a first liner sheet strip for the first row of labels and asecond liner sheet strip for the second row of labels.
 5. The kit ofclaim 2 wherein the liner sheet includes liner sheet neck portionsinterconnecting adjacent ones of the liner sheet portions.
 6. The kit ofclaim 3 wherein the liner sheet portions and the neck portions form afirst strip removable to expose the adhesive coated backs of the firstrow of labels and a second strip removable to expose the adhesive coatedbacks of the second row of labels.
 7. The kit of claim 1 wherein thefirst set of tabbed materials is a first set of tabbed dividers and thesecond set of tabbed materials is a second set of tabbed dividers. 8.The kit of claim 1 wherein the first set of tabbed materials is a firstset of tabbed file folders and the second set of tabbed materials is asecond set of tabbed file folders.
 9. The kit of claim 1 wherein theholder includes third holding means for holding a third set of tabbedmaterials such that the tabs of the third set are staggered, exposed andin a third line that is parallel to and spaced from the first and secondlines, and the holder is in the sets-holding condition when the thirdholding means is holding the third set.
 10. The kit of claim 7 whereinthe label applicator sheet includes a third row of labels, and when inthe label application position, the label applicator sheet is positionedsuch that each of the labels of the third row of labels is aligned withand can be directly applied to a respective tab of the third set.
 11. Alabel applicator system, comprising: a holder including a plurality ofconnected staggered pockets; each of the pockets holding a different setof file folders or tab dividers, each of the sets having alignedstaggered tabs, so that the sets are held in stair-step relationshipwith the staggered tabs of each set being exposed and parallel relativeto tabs of the other sets; and a label applicator sheet having aplurality of labels aligned in a plurality of rows, the label applicatorsheet being configured and capable of being positioned in a labelapplication position relative to the holder, such that labels of each ofthe rows are positioned in label application positions aligned withrespective tabs of a respective one of the sets.
 12. The system of claim11 wherein the label applicator sheet includes a liner sheet and afacestock sheet adhered to a top of the liner sheet, the facestock sheethaving weakened separation lines defining the labels and the liner sheethaving liner sheet portions removable to expose adhesive coated backs ofthe labels.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the adhesive coated backsof the labels are exposed when the label applicator sheet is in thelabel application position.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein the linersheet portions comprise liner sheet strips for each of the rows oflabels.
 15. The system of claim 12 wherein the liner sheet includesliner sheet neck portions interconnecting adjacent ones of the linersheet portions.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the liner sheetportions and the neck portions form a first ship removable to expose Theadhesive coated backs of the first row of labels and a second stripremovable to expose the adhesive coated backs of the second row oflabels.
 17. The system of claim 11 Wherein the holder is a pouch. 18.The kit of claim 1 wherein the holder is a pouch, the first holdingmeans is a first pocket of the pouch and the second holding means is asecond pocket of the pouch.